DETROIT, MI. – (WTVB) – Bronson’s Ben Modert won his third straight state championship on Saturday at Ford Field as he captured the M.H.S.A.A. Division Four title at 119 pounds with a 9-4 decision over Zack Hall of Byron.
Modert finished his senior season with a record of 54-2. He got the first points of the title match when he scored a takedown with 19 seconds left in the first period which was quickly followed by a two point near fall.
With a 4-0 lead to start the second period, Modert scored an escape and a takedown to build a 7-0 lead after two periods. After Hall scored a takedown, Modert got a reversal to take a 9-2 lead.
Modert was called for stalling twice in the final minute which gave Hall two points but Modert had a big enough lead to claim the title.
Modert won at 103 pounds in his sophomore year and at 112 pounds as a junior.
He told the M.H.S.A.A.’s Second Half, “It’s just crazy that it’s over. I was nervous, not because of the kid but because it’s my last match ever. So I got too scared for it, I know I did. But I still went out there and got it done.”
Five other Branch County wrestlers earned medals and made the podium. In Division Four, Union City’s Garrett Iobe was third in the state at 140 pounds while Bradley Russell finished sixth at 125 pounds. Bronson’s Craig Tappenden finished fifth at 160 pounds while Quincy’s Chandler Locke was eighth at 171 pounds.
In Division Two, Coldwater’s Nick Buchanan finished in sixth place at 171 pounds.
Among area wrestlers, Rayden Roggow of Athens was second at 140 pounds in Division Four while Mendon’s Skyler Crespo won the D4 145 pound title as he became just the 28th wrestler in MHSAA history to win a fourth Individual Finals title.
Thomas Potter of Springport won the D4 title at 152 pounds.
